love never fails...

I consider myself lucky to witness so much love present in my family.
From my own parents who have been married 30 years,
and between both sets of my grandparents, collectively they have been married 123 years.

And on Sunday we celebrated 70 of those years with my Grandma and Grandpa.
70 years of marriage!
Definitely something to be proud of.
A true testimony to showing that love never fails.

70 years ago, my grandmother says, "I saw him across the room, and I instantly fell in love."
She goes on to say, "The priest said our marriage would never last."
Grandpa chimes in, "I guess we showed him." 

Indeed they did, they showed everyone, their family and friends, what true love means.
10 kids and 110 grand kids later, love surrounds each and everyone of us.

 
My grandmother wore an exact replica of her wedding dress, and she still looks as beautiful as ever.

 me and my grandma

 my mommy and her momma...

 my family and my grandparents

 my brother and his bride

my sweetie

and my love, I can only hope that we can share everything that my grandparent have.

The news even came to celebrate.

They interviewed my grandparents,

and it was the sweetest news segment!

You can check it out here

Happy Monday friends!

Isn't it about time for baby no. 2?

I wish I could tell you the amount of times I get asked this exact question.

Well, let me try and answer this question.

 

When I decided the first time that I wanted to have a baby.  I couldn't wait.  I wanted her now and I wanted to be pregnant yesterday.  I had it bad.  The.Baby.Fever.

 

I keep thinking the fever will hit me again, but It.Hasn't....
Sure, once in a while, I will get a taste and I think "this is it!"
and shortly there after it leaves and and I question myself and having more children!

Does that make me a bad person? A bad mother?  A selfish human being?

I never intended on only having one child.  And I am often reminded how having one child is

NOT. normal.  She needs a playmate.  You can't have an only child.

 

And while I appreciate the advice, and know deep within my heart that I want more children.

My reality screams at me, "You have about all you can take with one.

She's easy, out of diapers, potty trained, and pretty self-sufficient for a 3 year old.

Not to mention, just about all you can afford."

 

Then my heart chimes in, OK, just have another one.  Just get pregnant.  As soon as you do,

the baby fever will return and you will get excited and fall in love all over again
 and the world will be right.

 

Oh! but then the worrying sets in. 

I have dealt with anxiety for most of my life.

Worrying! making things worse than they are just by thinking.too.much.

Over analyzing. Yep, that's me.  That's what I do.

I worry, what if I am breech again?

I don't want another C-section {it flipping hurts}.

I don't want another breastfeeding nightmare.

What if something is wrong with this baby?

Can I manage loving 2 babies?

And, what if I am puking my guts out for 16 weeks again?

Can I still be a good mom to Presley, when I can't even get out of bed from morning sickness.

Of course there is the financial aspect?

Will I have enough vacation time to take a full maternity leave?

Can I afford a second child?

So when EveryOne asks, when is number two coming?

When are you going to give Presley a baby brother?

 

Believe me, the thought has crossed my mind.

It crosses my mind every.single.day.

But I just don't know if I am ready.

I want to be ready.
I know timing wise, I should be ready.

I never intended my children to be so far apart in age.

I want Presley to be a big sister.

I want to have a healthy baby in my arms again.
 

If I could skip the morning sickness and delivery part,

I might be more apt to just Go.For.It.

But the fact is, I struggled with the fact that Presley was breech

I was terrified of laying on that table and being awake while my abdomen was cut open.

And even more scared to have to do it again.

I had my mind made up that I would have this beautiful unmedicated delivery.

And while that could have been me being niave.

It's what I thought I wanted.

And don't get me wrong, she came into my life in her own way.

And she was perfect and beautiful and healthy.
And I thank God everyday for giving her to me.

But I couldn't help but be upset, that I felt robbed of my woman-hood.

I wanted to feel a contraction.

Wanted to push my baby out and have her handed to me right then and there.

And when it didn't happen.

I just felt robbed.

And then I felt guilty for even feeling that way.
I would tell myself, you DON'T get to think like that.
Look at this perfect little life in your arm's.
But I still did.
It took some time for those wounds to heal.
and

I look at my scar now and smile, knowing my daugher and all her sass,

of course she would do things her way.
But I remember the sting, and not sure I am strong enough to tear open those wounds again.

And then I have to continually remind myself that when the time is right. 

It will just be.

I have to remember that there is a plan for me and my family.

I need to surrender the control that I have to have.
Put the worrying and anxiety aside.

And do my best to trust in his plan.

Yet it's often times hard, to keep this mentality.

Just let.go and believe.

I know I want more children, but I am Scared.
Bottom line.
Way more scared for this time than last.
 

So, is it time for number two?

I guess not even I know that.

But I am willing to trust and follow my heart,
and pray the rest will just.be. as it should.

 

On my heart | Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

    and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy

When it snows, she has no fear for her household,

   . for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with new sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction in her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 Proverbs 31:10

 

Let us all follow in her example, and strive to be a "Proverb's 31 woman"

Rest.In.Peace 

snow day

It seems that since Presley was born that we have not had much snow.
and while I can appreciate that because I am not a huge lover of cold and slick roads.
a little snow now and then is fun.


Especially for a girl that loves frosty the snow man.
Her and daddy built a snow man, {well, daddy actually}
and Presley sang the whole time,
"Frosty the snow man, was a jolly, happy sore"
Hmmm... we need to work on that one!

Even shandy {our huge puppy} enjoyed the snow.
A first for her as well.

As for me, I played with my camera and had so much fun taking pictures with my family.

and now that we've had our fun in the snow, you can leave now winter.  Nothing personal, I just prefer summer.

a whole lotta christmas + a recap in photos

Another Christmas come and gone.  We definitely had plenty to celebrate.. and celebrate we did!

we partied and white elephant-ed

we baked and ate lots of yummies

we got sick with the flu and snuggled.. and watched plenty of Elf.

s

 we visited Santa and played

with cousins

we waited and anticipated Santa's arrival

 and opened plenty of presents

 spent lots of time with family

and even got a little present of our own made my the sweetest girl I know. 


and if you're stopping by from the mrs and the momma blog, welcome!  grab a seat and make yourself at home...

family pictures + what to wear post

If you've been around her for a while then you have probably heard me mention my fabulous photography friend molly from willow brandt photography
well lucky for me, I am able to have a friend that will photograph my family and let me do some pretty silly things that work about oh 50/50 I'd say. 

recently, my friend molly did Presley's 3 year photos as well as our family, and let me just say that I have the cutest dang daughter she has done it again and these photos melt.my.heart.

and yes, I have the cutest dang kid ever... Yes! biased!  So besides showing off my little family, I thought I'd share with you a guest post I did recently about what to wear for your family photos. 

and Yes, I still have a few Christmas DIY posts left as well.  I'll get back on that, k? forgive me!

could you not just eat her up.
she is adorbs!

melting!

daddy's girl

mommy's BFF

my little family...

 

 my dress // francesca's. cardi-target. boots-macy's. leapord belt-target

his sweater// oldnavy. button up-gap

her dress // pocket full of lovelies 

{yes, I made it}

watch for similar dresses very soon!

 

enough about what I wore,

let's talk about what you should!

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Today, I am here to talk to you cool cats about {what the heck to wear for your family pictures}
Why am I credible to talk on such a subject? Well, I am not really, but I like photography, and I like clothes and sometimes I get a vision..
call it what you will, but sometimes my mind thinks in photo shoots... {or blog posts, or tweets, ahh}
alrighty peeps, onto the topic at hand!

* inventory your house! what the hey does this have to do with getting your family dressed? well, it has a lot to do with it. I'll explain. why do we get pictures taken? because we want to display our beautiful selves all over our house, right? for other people to see when they come over and they can say, "dang, girl you look so good in that pictures" why, yes I do! thanks! so, look around, where are these pictures going to hang or sit? is your room formal? casual? what colors are in your room? take this into account when picking out outfits...
* another word of advice... research your photographer people! if you like sit-down-smile at the camera portraits, then pick a photographer that does those types of photos. if you like candid-maybe I am smiling, maybe I am laughing, maybe my butt crack is hanging out {no really, mine was in one of my pictures, no joke} then pick a photographer that has that style...
* the days of everyone looks the same in white shirts and khaki pants are long gone my friends... instead, try and pick out a few colors that everyone can incorporate in their outfit and coordinate not match... don't be afraid to mix unexpected colors and use accessories. COLOR is in folks! one of my {go to places} when I am trying to decide on Color is design seeds ... check it out.. you can search for palates and a pretty picture is included to help you if you are more visual like I am. you can search by palate, like autumn, summer, and so on! this is a good place to start... go there, like NOW! but come back and check out the rest of this post, m'kay?
* coordinating your outfits... this is huge. it's ok to mix patterns and colors, right? but don't put the same color and pattern on every person. pick outfits that encompass your
color palatte and then divi up those colors... if your scheme is mustard yellow and gray with pops of turquoise, put baby in yellow with a bold turqouise headband and yourself in a great gray dress with a pop of bright teal jewelry on your wrist and a mustard scarf and put dad in a plaid turquoise or shirt and dark gray wash jeans...
* scan your closets... pictures, as wonderful as they are, well, let's face it, can get pretty spendy by the time it's all said and done. well worth it, yes! look through your closets, do you think your husband looks hot in that shirt you bought him to wear to dinner last month, or maybe the baby looks darling in the new blazer you bought for grandma's birthday party {yes, they make blazers for the baby, too dang cute}. use that fave piece of clothing to help inspire the rest of your family look.
* use props... some of the time, your photog will have some for you to use, but if you are using these pictures for birthday invitations or for christmas cards and you want a specific look or feel, buy it and bring it, and communicate this to your photographer. check etsy or your favorite blogs for ideas... check your house, that special quilt that has been in the family for 100 years, bring it and sit on it {it washes} and you'll find your pictures not only look amazing but have a little bit of sentiment as well. believe me, photographers, {bless them} and their super cool editing skills, have a way of making aunt betty's ugly blanket look awesome in the photo... {I don't know how they do it, but they do}
* and last, we all do it, spend countless hours scanning pinterest. get inspiration from what other people have done. do me a favor and {wait for it} actually click on that super cool picture that you like and go to that blog or website and look around.. you may find more inspiration than you knew possible. seriously, if you like that one picture, chances are, you'll like the rest of what you will find after you click to the new page! try it, k?

well, take from it what you will. I hope someone draws some inspiration from this little post and has some crazy good family photos in the near future..

I have to get my roast out of the crock pot, and make my instant mashed potatoes before the hubbs gets home and figures out my secret! {I almost sounded domesticated, huh?} but seriously, the best choice garlic instant mashed potatoes are bomb!
you're welcome...

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thanks for listening lovelies
I'll be back soon!
xoxo

a belated thanksgiving recap

a little late yes, however, I wanted to share some thanksgiving pictures...
last year when the hubbs and I were "homeless" {ok not really, but we like to be dramatic}
we vowed to have every holiday this year in our new house..
and thanksgiving was no exception.

I was thrilled to have my family over for the holiday to celebrate and give thanks and drink some beverages.  and that is what we did!  Oh! and stuffed our faces.  It was the first time that my formal dining room had been used {for its purpose anyways}, and I absolutely loved playing hostess.

Enjoy these late photos.

December is going to be an exciting month here on the bloggie.
 {or at least I think so}
Come back m'kay?  I have so much planned!!

thank{full}

my heart is full

my tummy is full

my fridge is full

 

a house full of love and laughter

full of memories and family

 

I have a lot to be thankful for.

But, what makes me the happiest,

is having my family,

all of us,

together and healthy

under one roof.

 

Seeing everyone interact,

and laugh and play.

seeing them love my daughter,

and my daughter loving them.

 

I feel full

{and not just from the turkey}

and feel fortunate to have

this family.

 

recently, I was able to get everyone together for a little family photo session

with my favorite

willow brandt photography

she captured my family in a way that makes me tear up

preserved memories forever

we had not had family pictures taken since the twins were born

so this session was very special to me.

 

  papa and his grand-daughter

 the whole family

 the kids

 my brother and his beautiful wife

and their fur.baby buster

 the twins...

otherwise known as Lauren and Alex

 

and this picture explains it all

the start to this family.

the glue to our lives.

I love you so much mom and dad!

 

hope everyone had a very happy thanksgiving.

 

more pictures tomorrow from our turkey day...