a birthday blessing

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I'm hosting with Natalie, Beth Ann, and Jordan to share the blessings

God has placed in our paths during the week.

We would love to have you join us! Make sure to grab the box and link-up with us today!

Today, the blessing on my heart, is my husband! His 28th birthday is Friday...so what better topic than to share how crazy blessed I am by him!

Adeline and I are so blessed to have this man that...

has an amazing servants heart for God.

is a wonderful, patient husband.

is the best hands-on, fun-loving Daddy there could ever be.

and always puts family at the top.

We are truly blessed by this man that I get to call my husband 

and Adeline gets to call Daddy.

Happy Birthday, babe!

What blessings has God placed on your heart?
Take a moment to thank Him, the One from whom all blessings flow.

Adeline's First Birthday Party!

Adeline's first birthday party was such a fun time! We celebrated with close family and friends in our home the Saturday before she officially turned one.  We had a Chilli Bar with all the fixings, yummy finger foods that included many of Adeline's faves, and a cake table with lots of fun desserts and cupcakes. 

Adeline was the life of the party and we wouldn't have expected anything else! She was a bit shy at first and clung to her grandpa, but quickly warmed up when she realized everyone was watching her and there to play with her.  She even topped it all off by taking her first official "big girl" steps in the kitchen at her party.  We joked that she just wanted to wait and let everyone see.

She was such a dainty little thing as she ate her cake...using just one finger most of the time to dig into it.  She seemed to enjoy the finger foods before more than the actual dessert part.  She did enjoy her first tastes of ice cream!

I had collected items for quite a while here and there when I liked something (and it was on sale ;)...but I knew that I wanted her party to be bright and cheerful...just like she is.  A couple days before the party when I was singing a nightly song to Adeline, This Little Light of Mine...I thought..."that's it!" She already shines so much light and joy to everyone around her, that we just know that God's light will continue to shine brightly through her sweet, spunky, bubbly personality the rest of her life.

It was a wonderful time and it could not have been more fun.  Most of all...sweet Adeline Grace enjoyed it so much...and what more could a party-planning Momma ask for?

I asked my little bro (who is great with a camera) to snap pictures during the party so that I could just enjoy and take in the party.  I am so, so glad I did this! There were way too many pictures that I loved to choose...so enjoy a slideshow of the party pictures below!

(Another post is coming with party details soon!)

a day in the life of the birthday girl!

We had a blast partying at Adeline's 1st birthday party the Saturday before her birthday (detailed posts to come...promise!) and we spent her actual birthday having quite a bit of fun and the went out on the town that night to celebrate! ;)

Adeline started her morning up bright and early...I guess she wanted to see her Mommy before I went to work (usually I leave her asleep for Daddy to wake her and get her ready).  I was excited to see her!

check out that awesome birthday bedhead

 Since it was a day I was working, Adeline was with her Grandma for the day! They came and met me in my classroom for lunch! We enjoyed McDonald's so Adeline could have one of her faves...chicken nuggets!

After they left me, my mom took Adeline to see her Daddy where he was working.  She loves to see Daddy on the job!

I am super sentimental and had to take a pic of what Adeline was doing at exactly 1 year old (4:37 p.m. on November 9th).  Since we had just taken the car ride from my parents' to our house...she was sleeping! This girl can't stay awake in the car. ;)

We had been talking about taking Adeline to a hibachi grill for the longest time because she is so inquisitive and enjoys eating out.  Well it was even more of a hit than we expected!

She was the hit of our table with her interactions with the chef and friendly personality with all those that were around her! She loved the fire and watching all the tricks...including saying "bbbrrrrr" (her car sound) as he pretended the stack of onions was a train.  She even ate all the teriyaki chicken and friend rice her little belly could stand.

Next was a shopping trip to Target because someone had a birthday gift card to spend!

Our next stop was frozen yogurt.  Adeline got her own bowl and she loved how all the tables and chairs were short where she could cruise around.  The place was empty when we got there and then people started coming....I think she thought it was a party for her!

Our final stop was home! We planned on letting her open gifts if she stayed awake on the car ride home...but would open the next morning if she fell asleep.  She must have known the party was still going on...because she stayed awake!

checking it all out

Fisher Price Little People farm set from Daddy- a big hit!

her first Cabbage Patch doll from Mommy - another big hit!

a baby doll stroller...she had to try it out herself first ;)

giving "Madeline Brianna" her paci

super sweet with her baby doll!

We had such a good time celebrating our sweet girl on her birthday!!

a letter to our birthday girl!

Dear Adeline Grace,

It seems like just yesterday we welcomed you into our arms.

November 9, 2011 at 4:37 p.m. 

 Hearts full of joy.  Eyes full of happy tears.

We couldn't believe how perfect you were.  How beautiful you were.

7 lbs. 5.7 oz.

21 inches long

You were everything we prayed for and even more.

You were Daddy's girl from your first cry.

And Momma's joy from your first breath.

You gave us everything we never knew we needed.

Now our lives are filled with blessing after blessing with each new day with you.

 You make our lives more abundant than we ever knew possible.

 

You grow more and more beautiful every single day.

You're Daddy's girl and Momma's love.

Your joy in life is contagious and

God's goodness amazes us as His light shines so brightly through you!

Your first year has been our favorite year yet.

 We love you so incredibly much baby girl!

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet Adeline Grace!!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

happy birthday to Boone!

It's our sweet pup's 3rd birthday today!

We love our sweet pup.  He's so good-natured, smart, and has definitely stepped into the "big bro" role pretty easily! 

Happy birthday, Boone!!

happy birthday...

to my handsome hubby!!

bump update: 39 weeks (and counting)

How far along? 39 weeks, 2 days

Baby size: Watermelon-size still.  On average, about 20 inches long and a little over 7 pounds.  (I was almost 8 pounds and Justin was over 8 pounds...so we'll see!)

Total weight gain: About 23 pounds....holding steady there at this point.

Sleep: Again, good nights and bad.  It seems like I'm having a BH contraction every time I wake up.  I still pee constantly and often wake up hungry.

Movement: Still tons of movement.  It has slowed down just a tad due to her size I'm sure.  She squirms quite a bit before I go to bed also...and at this point it's pretty painful (especially low!).

Food cravings/aversions: Mainly junk food and fast food are my cravings these days.

Pregnancy Symptoms: Nothing new.

What I miss: At this point, I'm content and just taking in the last days of being pregnant because I know the end is in sight! :)

What I'm looking forward to: Again, meeting her!

Milestones: Being in my 40th week! At my last appointment on Friday, I was 1 cm (first check-up that I was dilated) and thinning (not sure %).  My doc predicted this Tuesday or Wednesday if she had to guess...but I know that's never for sure! We didn't talk induction yet because she seemed so sure I would go into labor this week.  However, my next appointment is Friday if nothing happens before then! (My mom was two weeks over-due with both my brother and me and had to be induced...so I'm not holding my breath.  I'm trying to mentally prepare for that.)

Best moment this week: Just the feeling of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! We also celebrated Justin's birthday this Saturday (October 29th) because his 26th birthday is tomorrow.  I wanted to make sure we celebrated his birthday in case craziness started this week with me going into labor.  We had a fun time at lunch with family and then celebrated with cake back at our house.  That night we went just us to a movie and enjoyed the evening together.

Moments with Justin: (See above ;)

reason to celebrate

There are lots of reasons to celebrate this weekend! (Sorry in advance for no personal photos...)

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One--Saturday was my 25th birthday! We had a great weekend of celebrating (numerous) times! Friday night was a night of birthdays at my parents'.  We always celebrate my grandma's, my aunt's and my birthday together since they are all close together in March.  Saturday night was a night out to Olive Garden for my birthday with family! Yum! Today, we relaxed at home and Justin surprised me with a sweet birthday gift this afternoon.  I told him not to get me anything...he ignored me... :)

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Two--Today is the first day of spring! It's funny to me that my birthday is considered a winter birthday...weird.  But I love my birthday even more because it means spring and warm weather is right around the corner! (And God sure blessed us with a nice day of sunshine and warm temps here today to celebrate!)

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Three--We have planned a spontaneous trip to Florida coming soon!! Whoo hoo!! It will be a week of just Justin and myself at my in-law's house in Florida.  Minutes away from the beautiful gulf! Can't wait!! I was so excited when we made the decision today that I honestly was in tears! ha! And the best part of it all is that we just decided on a whim.  Love that!

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend! I'm off to watch more basketball!

what I'm loving...

I'm linking up with Jamie today!

one.

my mom with my brother this summer at the Smithsonian in DC

I'm loving this lady! (As always!) My lovely mom is celebrating her birthday today.  The great thing is we get to celebrate her all weekend long with two special birthday dinners! I'm beyond blessed by my mom.  She is so loving, so compassionate, and has always gone above and beyond to be there for her family and reach out to others around her.  She is my number one fan and my biggest encourager.  (She even is a follower and reader of my blog.)  I love you mom! I'm so blessed by you daily.  Enjoy your special day!

two.

I'm loving that we finally got some rain today! We have needed it so badly.  And even more...I'm loving that the news forecast shows possible snow showers in a couple weeks.  My students are already crazy enough at this point....might as well bring on those snow days!

three.

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Leggings.  Yes, I'm loving leggings! I will say with my petite, bottom-heavy curvy figure, I was reluctant.  However, as soon as I wore leggings for the first time (in adulthood), I was hooked.  Under big sweaters, under too-short dresses, under shirt dresses, under skirts, worn with tall boots, worn with flip-flops, worn with flats....brown, black, jeggings....you name them, I love them.  I sort of see them as my way to get around my "dress up" days at work.  Love them.  Period.

four.

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I'm also loving these Steve Madden boots from Macy's.  I have them in dark brown and they have become my flip flops of fall and winter.  I'm looking forward to spending some gift card money on a black pair soon!

five.

I'm loving that this is my last full week of school before Thanksgiving break.  Next is Christmas break! Love the time off with family and friends this time of the year celebrating the many blessings in our lives and the gift of Christ in our lives.

 Happy Wednesday!

what i'm loving wednesday

So excited to link up with the lovely Jamie @ this kind of love.  Check out her link-up.  It makes this "middle of the week" day even a bit more worth celebrating.  [The other term for Wednesday makes me cringe.  Do any of y'all feel the same way?  Or do I just need to get my mind out of the gutter?]

one.

I'm loving how my hubby looks with his new guitar.  It was a birthday/graduation gift from me.  I can't wait for him to take lessons. He's super excited.

two.

 

I'm loving these three finds from my election day shopping trip with my mom and grandma.  We shopped all the "best deal" places...TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshalls.  This great basket was only $14.99...it's housing shoes in our foyer.  The adorable pillow was something I could not put down.  It was on clearance for $6.50 and is now snuggled in the chair in the corner of our living room.  (Seriously, this pillow just may be something I design a little boy's rugged nursery around one day.)  And this awesome "Happy Birthday" plate was used for the first time for hubby's bday celebration this past weekend.  It's a new tradition in our bungalow...bday person gets to eat their dessert on the special plate!

three.

I'm loving that since my prof was "throwing up" (his terms exactly in his email) and canceled class Monday night, I had one extra afternoon to spend on a walk with this cute guy.  He loves going for a walk with his momma.

four.

I'm loving this recipe my friend Kendra shared with me for Oreo Ice Cream cake.  Move over Dairy Queen...this stuff is fabulous!

Ingredients:

-a half gallon of vanilla ice cream (I use one and a half 1.5 quart containers)

-2/3 container of Oreos

-1 container of cool whip (I use light)

To make:

-Let ice cream and cool whip sit out until soft

-Crush Oreos in large bowl (I prefer my potato masher)

-Slowly add in ice cream and cool whip, gradually mixing it in

-Fill a 9x13" pan with the ice cream mix

-Let freeze

I used the extra Oreos to decorate the top of Justin's cake.  It was a big hit! (And the best part is there was extra left over in our freezer.)

five.

Today was an early release day at school, meaning a couple hours without kiddos.  I love my kiddos but after conferences taking place over the last couple weeks, a break is nice.

 

six.

We rearranged our living room furniture! Love it!

Happy Wednesday to you!