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we don’t look good together

What I mean is, Ryan and I are not able to take good pictures together. There are a few but it takes a couple of months to get the next “good one” and it usually consists of multiple shots before getting it.

As I was scrolling through my 900+ pictures on my phone I realized that there are probably only 10 that were of Ryan and I, and only about five that I would actually consider putting into a picture frame, photo book or the fridge… you know, where lazy people put nice pictures.

We tried to take a few ourselves but that wasn’t working out so I asked my friend Mary to take a picture of us. I just wanted to have a nice updated picture of us. 20 shots later, we got one that I am somewhat happy with though I think we could still do better. =)

Enjoy some of the shots from our photo session <wink>.

Ryan’s Weird Grin

Janet’s Big Eyes

Ryan’s Big Cheese

I wasn’t Ready

Short Shorts/ I’m Tired of This

The Winner!

DIY Monogram Picture Frame

Isn’t it lovely? It was SOO easy!! You know me, it might look easy but if it has more than 5 instructions I am probably not going to try it. Mostly because I hate cleaning up after a “good” craft project. I clean up after a two-year old all day, I don’t want to clean up after myself too.

I made this as a gift for my soon to be Sister-In-Law’s engagement party. It took about 45 minutes and it cost just about $10.00. I got the frame from Ross and the pack of buttons from JoAnn’s. I have seen this made with costume jewelry before which looks pretty cool but I don’t have any, so I went with buttons.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

5×7 Picture Frame

1 Pc of Scrapbooking Paper (I used Card Stock to add texture)

Buttons (size and qty matter based on size of letter, use your best judgement)

Hot Glue Gun

2 Hot Glue Sticks

Scissors

Glue Stick

Tweezers

DIRECTIONS:

Draw or print out a letter in the size and style you desire.

Cut out the letter and paste onto your scrapbook paper.

Measure the Scrapbook paper to fit your picture frame and cut it out. Make sure letter is centered.

Randomly glue buttons to your letter. *I glued a few on to start and then I arranged a few before gluing them down to keep the colors somewhat even.

(It is okay and encouraged to layer your buttons. Make sure you cover all visible lines from the letter pasted below.)

Remove glass and place finished project into the picture frame.

Using your tweezers, remove any visible strings or globs of hot glue.

The End.

Sounds super easy right? It is! Try it! I think they make very unique and personal gifts for any occasion. You could just make one for your own home. Can someone make one for me? He-He.

Baby Price #2: 16 Weeks

Well Darling, you are finally starting to allow me to enjoy life again. The nausea is slowly dissipating… I feel better with each day. I am still randomly vomiting but unlike my first pregnancy vomiting actually makes me feel better so I don’t really mind!

Thank you also for allowing me to eat healthy foods again. I really appreciate the gesture. I’m still kind of getting grossed out by vegetables (mainly broccoli) but at least im not craving fast food!! Horay!

You are getting big. Technically you are only the size of an apple but I have a distinctive baby belly that I am pretty sure didn’t show up with Lucy until around 4 1/2-5 mo. I still have only gained a total of 1lb but now that I am allowed to eat more (thanks again) that will probably change by my next appointment.

I really like chocolate and vanilla ice cream mixed together and slightly melted.

My Ultrasound is on March 16 so hopefully we will find out what kind of child you will be. Your sister wants you to be a girl, your Daddy wants you to be a boy. I honestly don’t care what you are. I might cry if you are a boy just because I really want Ryan (your Dad) to have a son. Either way I will be happy that you are healthy and a good sleeper. Right?

Just so you know, among the males and females on your Dad’s side of the family there are seven of each (officially) so you are the tie breaker. No pressure or anything.

I have to tell you also that I am a little nervous about having another child. Growing up I have ALWAYS wanted a massive amount of children. 10. I grew up a little and agreed with your Dad that four would be a good amount. Now I am not so sure. #1- Birthing you. #2- Lack of sleep. #3- Nursing (love/hate). #4-Sleep training. #5- I’m afraid I wont be a good mother to the both of you equally. I’m afraid that one of you will feel left out or less loved. I’m afraid that Lucy will be jealous and resent you and resent her father and I for bringing another child into the family. I’m afraid you will feel like you are not part of the family.

I know all of these things are probably normal concerns and silly concerns. I know that God will help me every step of the way, like he has and is right now. I know that there is so much love in this family that you and your sister couldn’t possibly feel anything but love from the both of us equally. I know that after I birth you I will eventually get sleep and eventually stop nursing and you will be big and I will miss those things . We already love you and we don’t know anything about you. I hope you’re not ugly. Just kidding.

Oh, and one more interesting factoid. My midwife told me that after you have a Cesarean you should wait two years until you start trying to have another baby (no one ever told me that). Well, we had been trying for you for 8 months and I got pregnant almost exactly two years after I gave birth to Lucy. Isn’t that amazing?! I like to think that God was keeping me from getting pregnant because He was protecting my body from any harm that could come to it from getting pregnant too soon.

I knew that when I was supposed to be pregnant I would be and though I sometimes would get anxious and frustrated because I wasn’t, I knew that God had a reason and I just had to trust Him. Sometimes you never will find out a reason why God does what He does but I like to think that He let me know the reason for this one. God hand-picked you for me. He knew the perfect timing and when the time was right he planted you in my womb. We may not know a single thing about you but He already does. Your days are numbered and He has a good plan for you.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

she calls herself Ucy (ew-cie)

Two years and three months old.

Funny things I want to remember :

When trying to explain to Lucy why Mommy doesn’t feel well I tell her that “my belly hurts because there is a baby in there”. One day I had a terrible headache so I said to Lucy “can we watch TV on the couch? Mommy’s head hurts”. Lucy quickly responds: “You have a baby in there?” lol

I think I mentioned that Ryan took Lucy on a date recently to the movies. A few days after their date Lucy looks at Ryan with her big cat eyes and says in the sweetest little voice “date me peeze Daddy?! Daddy date?”. So sweet.

When Ryan was away recently on business I looked at Lucy and said “I miss Daddy, do you miss Daddy?” she responded “You miss Ryan Mommy?”.

I took Lucy’s diaper off before putting her in the tub and she looked at me, pointed and said “don’t poo-poo on floor!”.

Waking up has been very challenging lately, especially because I don’t feel well, so jumping out of bed as soon as Lucy wakes up takes a lot of effort. One morning Lucy was in her bed calling my name and in effort to avoid getting up I asked her to come get in Mommy’s bed. She said “no, come my bed!”.

Usually when I put her to bed and leave the room she waves and says “bye Mommy!”. How easy. I’m pretty sure my next one will not be this easy at bed time. Anyway- one particular night when I was leaving her room she said: “bye Mommy, have fun with Daddy!”. Ha-Ha.

New Experiences:

This month I took Lucy to her first Dentist appointment. To prepare we read a Dr. Seuss book on teeth and I pulled out her nurses kit and demonstrated what the dentist will probably do to her teeth. I thought doing these things would be helpful since going to the Dr, especially a Dentist can be scary. She did AMAZING! The Hygenist was great and explained everything to her as she was about to do it. I was so relieved. She say completely still and silent until the Hygenist said “and now, I have a present for you”. Lucy say straight up with a huge smile and said “present?!”.

She is in her second session of Dance. This class has more girls than her summer session and they are going to have a real recital. How dag-on cute?! She is the youngest and smallest one but I tell you she keeps right up with the other little girls in her class. It really is darling.

We also went bowling this month for the first time. Her favorite part is pushing the reset button. She got more balls stuck in the gutter than we had to play with. By the end of the night she started getting the hang of it and was really on a roll. It is really fun watching her try new things.

She got her second hair cut and also just sat there and watched patiently. I do not deserve to have such a mild-tempered child. Well, mild-tempered in public.

Her Favorites:

Loves to peel and eat Clementines.

Loves dance class and Sunday School.

She loves to play hide and seek, play with her animals and her little people doll house.

One of her favorite things to do is dance with her Daddy.

She is obsessed with looking at pictures on my phone.

She likes to feed her fish Ruby. Side note: Beta fish are SO much cleaner than Goldfish.

Her favorite movies right now are Finding Nemo and Toy Story 3.

Her favorite songs to sing are still “Twinkle, Twinkle”, ABC’s and B-I-B-L-E.

Lucy & I:

While this stage is so much fun it is also really hard at the same time. Oh man do I love this little girl to death. She makes me smile just by looking at me. I love that she is able to express the way she feels about us through her words and actions. I do not so much love that she can also express her dislikes through her words and actions.

She is my little burst of morning sunshine. She loves to sing… I love to sing! She likes to dance… I like to dance! She likes to help me do the dishes, change Eli’s diaper (the little boy I babysit), brush my hair (oh my, she likes to play with my hair!) and put the groceries on the belt at the grocery store. She is becoming so independent and it is really exciting to see her attempt new things and so exciting when she succeeds. I love how much love she has for people. Blah. Blah. Blah.

I love you Goose.

design dilemma

We are in the planning process of moving Lucy out of the Nursery and into her very own “Big Girl Room”.

I have a few ideas about what I want to do but my main concern is that the room will be able to grow with her without having to make a lot of drastic changes.

Here is the room that she will be moving into:

It is pretty much a blank canvas. We have gotten new carpet since this picture was taken but everything else is the same.

What are those weird hanger looking things for?

The Plan

All we know right now is that we will be painting all of the trim and doors white. I want to install lights in both of the closets because there aren’t any and you can’t see in them at night.

The light in the ceiling is recessed which makes the lighting in the room pretty dim. We will have table lamps but maybe only one or two so I would like to put either a little chandelier or some king of larger light fixture.

Her bed will be on the right side of the window against the wall (unless the bed doesn’t fit or it looks better somewhere else… but that is where I imagine it to go).

The Dilemma

Paint color. For the longest time I was really set on painting the room a shade of yellow. Yellow is bright and cheery- girly but not too girly and somewhat neutral.

I really really LOVE the color I painted the nursery.

This is not really a great picture but you get the idea. Can you believe I do not have a picture of the nursery? Maybe I do but it took me 1 hour to find this one so I don’t feel like continuing the search.

It is a turquoise color- a little brighter than pictured . I am obsessed with it. I was trying to convince Ryan to take that room when Lucy moves out but none of our stuff will match.

I know that I COULD paint Lucy’s new room the same color but do I really want to do that? I just do not know what to do.

How Can you Help?

What do you think I should do? Do you have any completely different suggestions? Ideas?

I’m really open to any change of plans but I feel stuck between my two original plans because that is just where my mind has been.

Here are a few ideas I have been brainstorming in terms of style:

Pottery Barn Kids

Ikea

Barrette Holder in Baby Lola modern kids decor

modern kids decor design by Rosenberry Rooms

*I actually had one of these made for her from a local artist in a light purple fabric with small pink and yellow designs.

Ok, Well, thanks for your help. I really do appreciate it!

it’s valentine’s day

The first thing I am going to do for my Valentine this year is shower. I think he would really like that.

The second thing I am going to do is make brownies. Brownies are the ONLY dessert that I really don’t like very much so it will in fact be his very own treat.

Lastly, I am going to do something I have only done two other times in 14 weeks. I am going to make dinner. Oh yeah. That’s right. I’m awesome!

I‘m kind of hoping Lucy’s gift to me is to do the dishes. Wouldn’t that be amazing! Ha. Dreaming…

Well have a happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Enjoy each other today and take some time to reflect on how you have been well-loved by those around you.

And, let’s think about how we also can show love to those around us everyday, not just on this “Holiday” (Holiday is quoted because my husband would disagree that today is in fact a legit Holiday).

While trying to decide on a love song to end my post I could not just pick one… there are sooo many good songs!

You should google the top love songs… talk about memory lane. I was depressed during most all of them at every school dance.

So, here is one that isn’t exactly a “love song” but it reminds me of My Love and the movie we watched when we officially started dating in 2003.

photo update

I have lots of thoughts floating around in my head but I don’t feel like organizing them.

Until I feel like putting something thoughtful together, here are a few pictures of our life recently.

Way too cold to be out for a walk.

Lucy & Cousin Mae at Storyville.

This is Josh & Mel. Aren’t they cute in their matching outfits? Yes, they planned it. Weirdos.

Lucy’s first time bowling. Honestly, she and I are pretty evenly matched. Womp.

“Ah! Don’t throw it!”

Lucy’s first Friendly’s Ice Cream Sundae!

… and this is how it ended. Holy baby wipes.

This is Lucy and Eli getting educated. We love the Library!

Here she is refusing to pose for a picture in her dance clothes. I’m one of those Mom’s. It’s just so cute!

One of my favorite milestones: Braids! However Mom (me) got her a bad haircut and we can’t braid at this moment. =/

I guess it isn’t “bad” it is just shorter than I wanted with more layers than I had planned for.

And here is a weird belly pic of me at 13 weeks. Ryan is much taller than I so the pictures he takes are always a weird angle.

This is my attempt at making the picture somewhat normal looking.

Alright peeps. Thanks for stopping by. I’m going to go lay down and watch Ellen while Ryan & Lucy are in the basement

watching a movie and eating popcorn together. Ain’t that cute?!

❤

Super Bowl Questionnaire- Answers Revealed

If you used my questionnaire, chances are you “googled” the answers so you could score them right away but in case you did not… here they are!

Super Bowl Questionnaire: New England vs. New York

Who are the mascots for the two teams facing off?

The Patriots and The Giants

Of the two teams playing today, who has the best record this season?

The New England Patriots

David Carr plays for which team?

The Giants

What number is Tom Brady?

#12

What do you think will be the brand of the first beer commercial?

Bud Light

Translate: SBXLVI

Super Bowl 46

Which two teams played in the first ever Super Bowl? You get an extra point if you know the year.

The Green Bay Packers VS The Kansas City Chiefs in 1967

How many fast food commercials do you predict there will be?

What is going to be the final score?

21-17

What is the number one food consumed during the Super Bowl every year?

Chips

Super Bowl Questionnaire

Every year for the Super Bowl, to make things more interesting, I try to make a Super Bowl questionnaire and hand it out to everyone at our little party before the game. This questionnaire is actually one of my most popular posts every year. Go figure.

Hand it out and collect it before the game. It is fun to see how much everyone actually knows and what they think is going to happen. I think us Ravens Fans are especially going to need this to take the sting out of the game that we should be playing in. =oP

Super Bowl Questionnaire: New England vs. New York

Who are the mascots for the two teams facing off?
Of the two teams playing today, who has the best record this season?
David Carr plays for which team?
What number is Tom Brady?
What do you think will be the brand of the first beer commercial?
Translate: SBXLVI
Which two teams played in the first ever Super Bowl? You get an extra point if you know the year.
How many fast food commercials do you predict there will be?
What is going to be the final score?
What is the number one food consumed during the Super Bowl every year?

And that’s a wrap! Good luck with your answers. I will re-post the answers on Monday after the game.

Oh, and I am a nerd so I like to buy little prizes for the winners. 1. Because like I said I am nerdy like that and 2. It gets people more interested in participating.

Go Ravens!

*Image taken from: http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/

becoming a better wife by “putting off” old behaviors

First I would like to say that I know and understand that not everyone shares the same values and beliefs that I have. I am in no way trying to force my faith or view of anything on anyone. I believe in freedom of speech and I believe that what I believe is right and true. This does not mean that I judge you, criticise you, gossip or look down on you for having your own thoughts or opinions. I write about my experiences and my life and I do it in hopes to bring joy to others, inspire others and possibly challenge others. This post would be more of a challenge to others.

I write to a very mixed audience and it is hard sometimes to appeal to all audiences. I ask that you read what I have to write with an open mind and open heart. Not because I am trying to change you but because this is how I live my life, and it works for us. Even if you do not share my beliefs, you have to admit that the principles are good ones and you would probably benefit from trying it out in one way or another. =0P

So, on to my planned post for the day…

Colossians 3:5-14

This passage challenges us to set aside the poor behaviors that always get in the way of a healthy marriage and put on a “new” character (specifically the character of Christ since that is who we should be striving to be like).

As I am reading this passage I am thinking about one specific trait that is the hardest for me to let go, and another godly trait that is hardest for me to “put on”. I call these “put off” and “put on”. You put off a negative behavior and you put on a positive one. It is like trying to quit smoking… you can try, but it is easier if you have something to replace that habit.

Basically what this verse is saying is that once you have committed your life to Christ, to live as a Christian, you are no longer a slave to the world or a slave to sin and the struggles you face. You are alive and have freedom because you trust in Christ and have placed your trust in him. Therefore the sins or the “struggles” that you once were enslaved to or apart of have no hold on you any longer. The passage is asking you to get rid of the “old self” which was you before you “became a Christian” and put on a “new self”, a positive character, follow Christ’s example. There is more to it… but this is the main point that as I am reading I am trying to think about. It is a brief and rough explanation but I just wanted to give you the gist of the passage incase while you are reading it you have no idea what it is saying. Sometimes the Bible can be like that. I find that the more I read it the more I understand it.

_______

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:5-14

_________

Now this verse is not marriage specific, it is appropriate for all seasons of life. I just happen to be thinking about my marriage and how I can apply this verse to my life in a specific area. I know that there are certain people or situations outside of my marriage where I can and should resolve to change but for the sake of this post I am only going to talk about my marriage.

So, what is my “put off”? Well, I guess I am going to have to say lust. Lust (any strong desire; to have a strong desire) in my case would be evident in our relationship like this: I want my house to be prefect, pretty, unique and well decorated. Not a bad desire right? Not really. But, when that desire is so strong that I start to complain about little messes, things I don’t have, things that don’t match, things I want to make our house better, it starts to put a strain on our relationship and causes that little desire to become a big problem.

What is my “put on”? Honestly I could stand to put on every positive trait that is listed but I will pick one that will compliment my put off. Patience. Oh how patience is so important in every area of my life. I ask for patience on the daily because I am not patient. Patience is the ability to endure provocation, annoyance, misfortune or pain with calm and strength. The ability to tolerate delay. Thanks dictionary.com! Well, that is pretty plain and simple if you ask me. God has given me everything I have ever wanted or needed and guess what, I didn’t get it right away, I had to be patient and wait. The dirty sink… it was cleaned. Maybe not when I wanted it done but it is clean now.

So really I think the next step for me would be to confess to Ryan how I recognize that I am failing in this area and ask him to forgive me (really I need to confess this to God first). Just because he is not currently mad about it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t ask his forgiveness. He deserves it. Then I am going to ask him to help me to be more patient. I am going to ask him specific ways and areas I can work on it and allow him to call me out if my desires are causing me to sin against him, my family or our friends.

My desire is to always be striving to be a better wife and a better person (I know “person” is vague but I am too many things to list). I know that I can’t do that on my own and I am glad that I have help. Help through my faith in Jesus and help from my amazing husband, family and friends. Wont you join me in this pursuit to put off our sinful earthly desires and behaviors and put on the positive character of Christ.

❤ y’all