"who can know motherhood but a mother? how could anyone explain the quickening of a child in the womb, the ache of sorely taxed hips or the waves of labor pains to anyone who hasn't given physical life to another? on the other hand, what person can fathom the depths of joy that attend motherhood in its glories? can anyone who is not a mother imagine the delights that come from the very existence of one's children?
what a gift."
- GK
i found this quote today, and i loved it. maybe because i am a mother, or maybe simply because i am pregnant & emotional...it brought tears to my eyes.
i have no idea who "gk" is, but obviously "she" must be a mother...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
f i v e.
our wedding day :: 11.07.2004
2009 :: still best friends.
2009 :: still enjoying life.
5 years later :: october 2009{our first photo as a family of F O U R}
yesterday, jason and i celebrated our first major milestone as a married couple (aside from babies & buying our first home)... our 5 - Y E A R :: A N N I V E R S A R Y.
it sounds so strange to say we've been married for 5 years - i feel like i walked down the aisle just yesterday. it's crazy how quickly life goes by. sometimes i want to just press "pause" and sit and enjoy it for awhile ya know? i mean... 5 years ago, today, we were spending our first night of our honeymoon at disney world... our second night together as husband & wife (or ever, for that matter)! we had only dreams and hopes for the years to come.
today, 5 years later, we have a home, a precious daughter, a little one on the way, a job full of opportunities, 6 weeks until college graduation, and a whole group-hug full of the best friends and family we could ask for.
we have cried, stressed, laughed, prayed, dreamed, prayed and grown a lot. God shows us how to love each other the way He designed a little more every day. it's really neat to think that i've gone through so much of the important stuff with jason... and to think about how much more we'll go through together. it's nice to know it will be him. i couldn't think of anyone i'd rather face this life with!
five years. we've come a long way. i can't wait to see how far He'll take us over the next 5 years. :)
happy anniversary, love! i am so blessed by your love and friendship, and the father you are to our children. i love you!
it sounds so strange to say we've been married for 5 years - i feel like i walked down the aisle just yesterday. it's crazy how quickly life goes by. sometimes i want to just press "pause" and sit and enjoy it for awhile ya know? i mean... 5 years ago, today, we were spending our first night of our honeymoon at disney world... our second night together as husband & wife (or ever, for that matter)! we had only dreams and hopes for the years to come.
today, 5 years later, we have a home, a precious daughter, a little one on the way, a job full of opportunities, 6 weeks until college graduation, and a whole group-hug full of the best friends and family we could ask for.
we have cried, stressed, laughed, prayed, dreamed, prayed and grown a lot. God shows us how to love each other the way He designed a little more every day. it's really neat to think that i've gone through so much of the important stuff with jason... and to think about how much more we'll go through together. it's nice to know it will be him. i couldn't think of anyone i'd rather face this life with!
five years. we've come a long way. i can't wait to see how far He'll take us over the next 5 years. :)
happy anniversary, love! i am so blessed by your love and friendship, and the father you are to our children. i love you!
Friday, November 6, 2009
peanut baby.
baby rains at exactly 7 weekson tuesday, jason and i had the blessing of seeing our new baby and hearing his/her heartbeat for the first time! even though we've been through this once before, with emma kate, it was still such a miracle and a precious moment to listen to the tiny beating heart of our baby.
right now, the baby is about the size of a blueberry, but will double in size by next week! {in the picture, our little one looks a little peanut-esque, don't you think?} i love getting updates from the bump & baby center, telling us how our little peanut baby is growing this week.
this is what baby center says is going on inside my body, right now:
"Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.
If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body."
isn't that just incredible? i am in awe of God's work in our lives from the time we "arrive." :) i cannot wait to experience this little one's growth over the next 8 months... i wonder if i'll be able to tell differences between this little one and emma kate, even while he/she is still in the womb?
what do you mamas think? what was your experience?
oh, and just in case you couldn't see baby rains in that picture, the sonographer was kind enough to point it out with an arrow and the word "baby." just in case.
{jon lilley found that pretty humorous. he likes to think about how funny it would be if the arrow said, "turtle" instead of "baby." ha!}
right now, the baby is about the size of a blueberry, but will double in size by next week! {in the picture, our little one looks a little peanut-esque, don't you think?} i love getting updates from the bump & baby center, telling us how our little peanut baby is growing this week.
this is what baby center says is going on inside my body, right now:
"Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.
If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body."
isn't that just incredible? i am in awe of God's work in our lives from the time we "arrive." :) i cannot wait to experience this little one's growth over the next 8 months... i wonder if i'll be able to tell differences between this little one and emma kate, even while he/she is still in the womb?
what do you mamas think? what was your experience?
oh, and just in case you couldn't see baby rains in that picture, the sonographer was kind enough to point it out with an arrow and the word "baby." just in case.
{jon lilley found that pretty humorous. he likes to think about how funny it would be if the arrow said, "turtle" instead of "baby." ha!}
new look.
i have seen a few friends give their ol' blog-a-roos a cute little facelift using shabbyblogs.com, so i thought i'd give it a try.
i'm super happy with the new look! {and it was easy, too!}
what do you think?
i'm super happy with the new look! {and it was easy, too!}
what do you think?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
paperbag books :: group lesson plan.
this is for my group from dr. haag's class!
sorry these wouldn't upload any other way... i hope this isn't too confusing.
here are the directions for how to make our paper bag books:
here's what you'll need:
- 4 standard lunch-size brown paper sacks
- scissors
- hole punch
- ribbon, yarn, twine, a shoelace :)... something to tie it together
- decorative scissors (optional)
- glue stick (or glue dots, something strong)
- colored cardstock, scrapbook paper, construction paper, etc.
- white printer paper/copy paper
1. Hold the bag so it is still flat. Using the scissors, slice the closed edge of the bag, so that both ends are open. Do this to all four bags.
2. Fold the bags in half, so that there is a crease in the center, and the open edges meet.
3. Punch holes (with the bag folded) along the spine.
4. Nest the folded bags inside each other and tie them together through the holes.
5. Glue a colored piece of paper (big enough to write questions on) on each right-hand page of the book, and on the front. There should be 8 pages with colored paper on them, including the cover.
i thought the students could write a couple words to describe themselves on the card in the cover pocket. :) mine says "girly, mommy, wife, loves pumpkin-flavored things!"
6. Glue a white square of paper on each left-hand page of the book, for illustrations. There should be 7 pages with white paper on them.
7. Slide scraps of paper (about 4.75"...long enough to see without digging) into the pockets.
8. Write (or print out and glue) questions on the colored pages, illustrate accordingly on the white pages and write the answer or response on the card that slips into the pocket... And you're done!
I hope these direction make sense!!! If you are having trouble, please let me know and I'll just make a book for you and you can fill it out when we meet early on Thursday. :)
If there are different questions we want to ask (we need one more question) please let me know, so everyone can plan accordingly! :)
This is super simple... mine would be TONS cuter if I were doing it as a scrapbook or something... they're great little gifts for friends or kids or family members. :) Have fun and let me know if you need help!
sorry these wouldn't upload any other way... i hope this isn't too confusing.
here are the directions for how to make our paper bag books:
here's what you'll need:
- 4 standard lunch-size brown paper sacks
- scissors
- hole punch
- ribbon, yarn, twine, a shoelace :)... something to tie it together
- decorative scissors (optional)
- glue stick (or glue dots, something strong)
- colored cardstock, scrapbook paper, construction paper, etc.
- white printer paper/copy paper
1. Hold the bag so it is still flat. Using the scissors, slice the closed edge of the bag, so that both ends are open. Do this to all four bags.
2. Fold the bags in half, so that there is a crease in the center, and the open edges meet.
3. Punch holes (with the bag folded) along the spine.
4. Nest the folded bags inside each other and tie them together through the holes.
5. Glue a colored piece of paper (big enough to write questions on) on each right-hand page of the book, and on the front. There should be 8 pages with colored paper on them, including the cover.
i thought the students could write a couple words to describe themselves on the card in the cover pocket. :) mine says "girly, mommy, wife, loves pumpkin-flavored things!"6. Glue a white square of paper on each left-hand page of the book, for illustrations. There should be 7 pages with white paper on them.
7. Slide scraps of paper (about 4.75"...long enough to see without digging) into the pockets.
8. Write (or print out and glue) questions on the colored pages, illustrate accordingly on the white pages and write the answer or response on the card that slips into the pocket... And you're done!
I hope these direction make sense!!! If you are having trouble, please let me know and I'll just make a book for you and you can fill it out when we meet early on Thursday. :)
If there are different questions we want to ask (we need one more question) please let me know, so everyone can plan accordingly! :)
This is super simple... mine would be TONS cuter if I were doing it as a scrapbook or something... they're great little gifts for friends or kids or family members. :) Have fun and let me know if you need help!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
four.
we are so excited to announce that around june 22nd of 2010, our little family of three will become a family of four! : )
we are beyond thrilled and thankful to our God for creating the precious life growing inside me.
emma is constantly talking about the baby she has started calling "baby jacob," and how she will be a "big sister princess."
we covet your prayers during the next 8 months, and i'm excited to share our little journey with you! (you can follow along with the little ticker i added on the sidebar ----->)
we are beyond thrilled and thankful to our God for creating the precious life growing inside me.
emma is constantly talking about the baby she has started calling "baby jacob," and how she will be a "big sister princess."
we covet your prayers during the next 8 months, and i'm excited to share our little journey with you! (you can follow along with the little ticker i added on the sidebar ----->)
Monday, October 5, 2009
3 years.
emma kate turned 3 years old today... three. years. old.
i can't believe it. 3 sounds so - old! well, not old, i guess... but it definitely does not sound like a sweet baby girl. i don't think we can say that we're the parents of a toddler. doesn't 3 qualify a kid as a "preschooler?"
we love the little girl that our emma is becoming. she is such a joy. and when i think back on the last 3 years, its hard to believe that the tiny baby we held on october 5, 2006 is the same child that we kissed goodnight, tonight, in 2009.
here is a little timeline of emma's life in pictures:
our sweet baby girl, right after she was born:
thursday, october 5, 2006
6:34 pm
7 pounds, 12 ounces
21.75 inches
emma kate, after we brought her home from the hospital. so tiny & sweet! (i wonder what she's dreaming about...)
6 months old
april 2007
9 months old
july 2007
(look at those little toothies!)
our princess on her 1st birthday!
october 5, 2007
18 months old
april 2008
(changing so much, already!)
at her 2nd birthday party!
october 5, 2008
our fairy princess at her 3rd birthday party!
october 2009... three years later.
she is our biggest joy in life. we love her more than we can ever say. it actually physically hurts when i think about how much i love her... i just can't put it into words.
it has been so amazing to get to see glimpses of God's love for me as my Heavenly Father, through my love for emma as her mother. i love how He has used my role as a parent to reveal Himself to me over and over again.
i thank my God for blessing me with my beautiful daughter.
what did we do 3 years ago, before emma was here? it's crazy to think about...
i cannot imagine my life without her.
i can't believe it. 3 sounds so - old! well, not old, i guess... but it definitely does not sound like a sweet baby girl. i don't think we can say that we're the parents of a toddler. doesn't 3 qualify a kid as a "preschooler?"
we love the little girl that our emma is becoming. she is such a joy. and when i think back on the last 3 years, its hard to believe that the tiny baby we held on october 5, 2006 is the same child that we kissed goodnight, tonight, in 2009.
here is a little timeline of emma's life in pictures:
our sweet baby girl, right after she was born:
thursday, october 5, 2006
6:34 pm
7 pounds, 12 ounces
21.75 inches
emma kate, after we brought her home from the hospital. so tiny & sweet! (i wonder what she's dreaming about...)
6 months old
april 2007
9 months old
july 2007
(look at those little toothies!)
our princess on her 1st birthday!
october 5, 2007
18 months old
april 2008
(changing so much, already!)
at her 2nd birthday party!
october 5, 2008
our fairy princess at her 3rd birthday party!
october 2009... three years later.
she is our biggest joy in life. we love her more than we can ever say. it actually physically hurts when i think about how much i love her... i just can't put it into words.
it has been so amazing to get to see glimpses of God's love for me as my Heavenly Father, through my love for emma as her mother. i love how He has used my role as a parent to reveal Himself to me over and over again.
i thank my God for blessing me with my beautiful daughter.
what did we do 3 years ago, before emma was here? it's crazy to think about...
i cannot imagine my life without her.
Monday, September 14, 2009
lolli dolls.
i have officially found the cutest little creations ever.
ever.
a little etsy shop called lollipop workshop, where these precious "lolli dolls" come from, has just taken a few whistful moments of my life.
a birthday girl lolli doll
(she is completely customizable for your favorite bday girl!)
another sweet lolli doll as a cake topper
would you not have LOVED this as a little girl?
i am pretty certain that i would have stared at her endlessly...
...and what about this wedding cake topper?
also customizable - and i think as cute as can be!
i think these cupcake toppers are adorable.
they can hold candles, too!
and the gift wrapping? genius. love it. precious.
ever.
a little etsy shop called lollipop workshop, where these precious "lolli dolls" come from, has just taken a few whistful moments of my life.
a birthday girl lolli doll(she is completely customizable for your favorite bday girl!)
another sweet lolli doll as a cake topper
would you not have LOVED this as a little girl?i am pretty certain that i would have stared at her endlessly...
...and what about this wedding cake topper?also customizable - and i think as cute as can be!
i think these cupcake toppers are adorable.
they can hold candles, too!
and the gift wrapping? genius. love it. precious.i follow a blog called bakerella. if you haven't read it, you should. she is too cute, and always whipping up some amazing baked treats! the creator of lolli dolls sent bakerella some custom goodies the other day, and she posted her surprises on her blog:
bakerella's very own lolli doll, made to look just like her!
(notice the "bakerella" sign!)
here's the little lovley holding a tray of her famous cake balls
the teeny-tiny dessert table.
i am in awe of the detail in this precious work of art!
(also featuring the cake balls & her even cuter cake pops)
a lolli doll b.f.f. for bakerella's little niece & assistant chef :)
the lolli's and their dessert buffet, together.
bakerella's very own lolli doll, made to look just like her!(notice the "bakerella" sign!)
here's the little lovley holding a tray of her famous cake balls
the teeny-tiny dessert table.i am in awe of the detail in this precious work of art!
(also featuring the cake balls & her even cuter cake pops)
a lolli doll b.f.f. for bakerella's little niece & assistant chef :)
the lolli's and their dessert buffet, together.i mean, really... does it get much cuter?
i would like to be completely irrational and order one for emma's birthday. :) however, i am restraining, simply because i can hear the shock & border-line-rage in jason's voice as he asks exactly how much i spent on that little cake topper for our 3-year-old. :)
i wish i had thought of these cutie-patootie gifts, i bet they're SO fun to create!
lolli dolls? yes, please.
i would like to be completely irrational and order one for emma's birthday. :) however, i am restraining, simply because i can hear the shock & border-line-rage in jason's voice as he asks exactly how much i spent on that little cake topper for our 3-year-old. :)
i wish i had thought of these cutie-patootie gifts, i bet they're SO fun to create!
lolli dolls? yes, please.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
school girl.
emma started the new year of mother's day out today. she has been so excited to "go to school," and was all giddy while we were getting her dressed and getting all her "gear" together. :)
here are some pics from this morning:
big girl all ready for school
[she looked in the mirror and said "i'm a princess!"]
...because skirts/dresses always mean you're a princess! :)
so silly!
cutie backpack
nap mat that my mom & i made last year for mdo
and the lunchbox that matches her backpack!
emma & mommy
really wish she were looking at the camera in this one!
walking with daddy
[she's SO grown-up!]
all lined up!
her classmates this year are:
anna, aslan [like the lion?], caden, camryn, chloe, emma :0),
jack, jackson, lucian, olivia, samuel & zoya
emma's little cubbie
[she found her name all by herself!]
here are some pics from this morning:
big girl all ready for school[she looked in the mirror and said "i'm a princess!"]
...because skirts/dresses always mean you're a princess! :)
so silly!
cutie backpack
nap mat that my mom & i made last year for mdoand the lunchbox that matches her backpack!
emma & mommy
really wish she were looking at the camera in this one!
walking with daddy[she's SO grown-up!]
all lined up!her classmates this year are:
anna, aslan [like the lion?], caden, camryn, chloe, emma :0),
jack, jackson, lucian, olivia, samuel & zoya
emma's little cubbie[she found her name all by herself!]
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
nesting.
my sweet friend michelle & her hubs jeremy are expecting chloe faith, their first baby, in october. our group of girlfriends from church through her a shower on sunday, and we had a cute little project.
we had all the guests make a page for a blessing book for chloe & michelle. everyone wrote a prayer or a character quality that they hope miss chloe has... or some encouraging words for michelle as she journeys through the transitions of mommy-hood.
here is the little directions page i made for the blessing book station:
chloe's crib bedding is from pottery barn kids & features whimsical little birds
in blue, green & coral so i tried to go with that theme...
we had all the guests make a page for a blessing book for chloe & michelle. everyone wrote a prayer or a character quality that they hope miss chloe has... or some encouraging words for michelle as she journeys through the transitions of mommy-hood.
here is the little directions page i made for the blessing book station:
chloe's crib bedding is from pottery barn kids & features whimsical little birdsin blue, green & coral so i tried to go with that theme...
i made front & back covers for the book, too, and tied it off with a sweet little ribbon:
front cover: mommy & baby chloe
"for this child, i have prayed." I samuel 1:27
back cover: little horton family :)
i really hope michelle treasures her little blessing book. the blessings, prayers and wishes written for this little family are all so sweet... chloe faith is already so loved!
i'll post pics when the little chick-a-dee arrives. :)
front cover: mommy & baby chloe"for this child, i have prayed." I samuel 1:27
back cover: little horton family :)i really hope michelle treasures her little blessing book. the blessings, prayers and wishes written for this little family are all so sweet... chloe faith is already so loved!
i'll post pics when the little chick-a-dee arrives. :)
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