July 4th Outfit Inspiration

Ok, I realize I should have posted this much earlier, but I just got dressed for our little 4th get together so I figured I would post this really quick! It's totally bugging me that I didn't straighten out my shirt a little better (or possibly even iron it, the horror), but I was rushed so I'm hoping you all will overlook it! :)
 A little secret... I love red on other people but not really me. So, when Patriotic holidays roll around-- and Christmas, for that matter, I don't have anything to wear. Thankfully, my sister was selling this adorable peplum top on our Instagram shop, so I bought it from her. Yes, we do buy from each other sometimes--or trade clothes. ;) Anyway, I really need to start buying more red for when the occasion arises!

Outfit Details:

Necklace: WalMart (they have so many cute ones for $5!)

Top: Sisterhood Closet on Instagram

Skirt: Also purchased on an Instagram shop. The pictures don't show, but it's lace and has a stretchy waist--so comfy!

Shoes: Target Clearance ($5!)

PS-Had to turn around and give the handsome (hardworking, lawn mowing, dirty) guy taking the pictures the strawberry water when he was done! Thanks babe!

10 years of Valentines Days: Then and Now

Headed to our annual couple's retreat this weekend

Nate and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day together 10 years ago. I remember it like yesterday though. We were in a long-distance relationship and he had sent me a box of presents. We video chatted so we could open our presents in front of each other. The main thing he had gotten me was an adorable little bear from build-a-bear that he had made himself, and put a recording of his voice in it so I could hear him anytime I wanted. It was so romantic and thoughtful and I was over the moon for him. That is exactly what our love looked like back then. It was thoughtful and sweet and romantic, full of hours of words spoken on the phone every day about how we felt about each other. We talked about the future, and we couldn't wait to get married and spend the rest of our lives together.

 I knew he was going to be a great husband. I also was pretty positive that he was going to be an amazing dad. One thing, however, that I didn't really expect was the great team would we would become over the years. A few weeks ago before we left for vacation, we were working together side-by-side without many words being spoken between us. I was lining things up to go out the door, preparing snacks and dinner for when we were in the car, and he was loading everything up. The occasional,  "did you pack this charger? Can you throw this in the blue bag?" was said, but other than that we were all business as we tried to get out the door. The kids and dog were underfoot and the baby was starting to get fussy because he was hungry. 

 To view it  from the outside couldn't have looked any further from romance, but in our hearts we could hear the unspoken words: I love you. You are my best friend and even though we can't say it right now, there is no one I would rather do life with than you. 

 That's what our love looks like now. Yes, we have plenty of romantic moments, but just Less Build-a-bear and more Building-our-marriage on the strongest foundation of all: Jesus Christ. 

 Parenting is no joke. It's completely exhausting and overwhelming a lot of the time. When I'm nursing the baby and he's corralling the other 3, and then without exchanging a word, I hand him the baby and pick up where he's left off with the older kids, I'm so thankful to be doing life as a team with my best friend.

Happy Valentines Day!

Our 2014 Christmas

We filled our home with friends and family on Christmas Eve, a tradition I would love to keep for The Christmases we stay here. After the last of them left, we gave the kids the one present they were allowed to open--Christmas pajamas--and tucked them in for the night.
 Nate and I cleaned the kitchen together and once we were done, I pulled out the bags of stocking stuffers that were hidden away and started to stuff. Hair ties, socks, undies, peanut butter trees and matchbox cars. I was completely exhausted by this time, but the sheer excitement of the kids opening everything the next morning was enough adrenaline to keep me awake for a few more hours, not wanting to go to sleep.

It was in this moment that I realized I am my Mother.

 Of course, I couldn't have picked up on any of her other amazing abilities and character, but one thing I did pick up on: I love me some Christmas. Everything about it. Buying things throughout the year at great deals, keeping it stuffed in bags in my closet for months, wrapping them and piling things under the tree, stuffing stockings to the brim and wearing a smile for the entire day of December 25th. Christmas, I have discovered, is so much better as a Mom. The joy of giving, seeing their faces, the twinkly lights, wrapping paper everywhere and most of all, celebrating Jesus....I just can't get enough of it.

We always start our morning out with reading Luke 2, just like my dad always did with us.

Brooke really wanted an American Girl Doll, but there was no way I could or would spend that much on a doll. I found an amazing deal on Felicity off Craigslist a few months ago, and she was so surprised--I even got a few tears. Priceless!

Nicolas slept through most of his first Christmas morning, but did manage to wake up in time for stockings. 

Mommy got a new lens... ;)

Surrounded by brand new toys, and all they want is each other. This.

Happy First Christmas to my Nicolas Picolas Pie!

There is something about Christmas morning that requires a big breakfast. We grew up on it at my grandparents every year, another tradition that is carried on. I love tradition--old and new. I love taking bits and pieces of my childhood and fitting them together with new traditions that we create to make the perfect memories for our own little family.

 Quiche, hashbrowns, snowmen pancakes and cinnamon rolls. We go all out for Jesus' birthday!

We Facetimed my family and grandparents, and once again I was so thankful for technology. Getting to see my Mom's face as the kids opened gifts, and saying Merry Christmas face to face to my grandparents from thousands of miles away is so special! 

 Nate's Mom prepared a delicious Christmas dinner at her house and we ended our day watching The Muppet Christmas Carol. We arrived home stuffed, exhausted and completely happy.

 The day after Christmas, I tried like 10 times to start cleaning the house. Somehow I always ended up on the floor, playing a game with the kids or curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee watching them play.

Last night was early bed time and this morning, early rising again for school. Back to work for me and back to our usual routines and schedules. My tree and all of my decorations are still up, and I'm still listening to Christmas music because I'm not quite ready to say goodbye for the year, but they'll come down soon just in time for the next big holiday... my birthday!!

 Ha, just kidding. 

 I hope you all had a lovely and memorable holiday season. I'm still mulling over New Years resolutions, but I do have 2 words for this year to share with you soon.

Merry Christmas!

Well.

 It has been a while, hasn't it. Waiting this long to blog can get really overwhelming to me as I feel like I have so much to catch up on. I'm not going to do that, though--just gonna pick up where I left off, because life flies by and there is way too much to post. I will just do a quick snippet of the past few months, and then focus on the past few weeks--CHRISTMAS!

 October and the beginning of November were spent surrounded by my favorite people. ;) We managed to get a family picture of all nineteen of us which was quite the experience! Special thanks to Devin and Sarah for putting up with us while we yelled, screamed, laughed and tried to be somewhat organized...the picture actually turned out GREAT considering how many of us there are!

Not too long after the last of them had trickled out, my best friend, her husband and baby came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Thanksgiving gets higher and higher in my book every year, and it is just about level with Christmas. Cooking and baking and eating and focusing on what we're thankful for--the whole week is focused on our blessings and I love it so much.

We didn't go home for Christmas this year, so we were able to experience all we could here during the month of December. Of course we started off the month by picking out our tree, even though it was 70 degrees that day and didn't feel a thing like Christmas.

Traditions continue: youngest puts on the first ornament and works up from there.

Tree Lighting

Last day of school before Christmas break!

Baking with Aunt Allaina 

Trail of Lights

Young adults Christmas banquet

 Best thing ever... SNOW! They made snow at a nearby outdoor mall and even though it was a total mad house, it was such a great memory for the kids! 

During Christmas week, we rented a huge house with Nate's side of the family and stayed there for a few days. It was a total blast! The house had 2 fireplaces, 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms and was a total maze--easy to get lost in. ha! We cherished every moment spent together--talks, games, late nights, shopping and  eating and walking on the beautiful river walk.

The family picture this year... I am so thankful for my "in-laws"--it doesn't even feel right to call them that because they are truly like my own family.

When we came home from our mini vacation, I had a few hours to dash around and prepare food for our Christmas Eve party we hosted after church and Christmas brunch the next morning. It was so much fun and I promise to blog about it all soon.

 Until then, I hope each of you had a wonderful Fall and Christmas season. I am overwhelmed with God's mercies which are new every morning!