Daddy's hoooooome!!!

Ok, maybe for only a few days, but we will most certainly take it! Getting to be together as a family from a Monday morning to a Thursday evening, quite honestly, will feel like a two week vacay. The Lord graciously brought me through nine-ish days without my husband home, and I am so grateful for my mommy/daughter time with Amara, but I am elated that we are all sitting on the couch right now watching Curious George.....just being a family. I really am so thankful for our slightly "not normal" family schedule because it makes me just relish in the moments we have together.


 I think the most important thing to note today is the fact that my husband walked in and greeted me with potted tulips!!!! WHOA!!!! It made me feel so special ...oh man! We spent most of the day just relaxing and being "lazy".....it was perfection!

Our daughter is OBSESSED with Iphones and Ipads. I really struggle with how much I let it entertain her, but the other day she started trying to say names of animals from Peek-a-boo Barn so I am not going to beat myself up too much, okay!? ;)

Amara's new room (PART ONE)

It pains me...slightly...to say this, but Amara is moving. It pains me for a couple of reasons. 1. I ( along with my bestie and hubby) worked so hard on her nursery that she has really only been sleeping in for a total of 10 months. 2. She is growing up people!!!

Amara's nursery has french doors on it, which I thought at the time would be sooooo beautiful! However, it is right at the top of our staircase and she sees and hears pretty much EVERYTHING! So, I just think it is best to move her to a room where the door ( that doesn't have windows) shuts quietly and doesn't rattle when the air kicks on and off. It wouldn't hurt her to have a little more space, as she is accumulating a lot of toys these days. Her new closet is bigger too! Maybe I should have thought all of this out while pregnant, but I didn't think this day would come so quickly to be honest.

Anyway, before I sadly dismantle the nursery of our first child * so dramatic, I know*, I thought I would share pictures of it with you all. I never completed taking photos as we got closer to her arrival. Plus, every room in my house is a continual project.... let's just be honest. I am hardly every happy. I get tired of things quickly. Even while I was pregnant, I moved my living room around weekly. I am crazy!

Here is the nursery as it stands today. I will be posting an update on her new room, and can't wait to do the final reveal!

Some extras .....if you are into cute babies with CRAZY hair...

Happy Birthday Daaaa....

Today is Gabe's ( "Daaa" as Amara refers to him) 31st birthday. I know I am a little late getting a post up, but I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate the love of my life ( and Amara's) on our liiiiitle blog here. I am just elated when I think back on what this year has looked like for my sweet husband. Now that we have Amara in our lives, everything seems fast paced, but the Lord has really worked in our lives, and made this year extra sweet! We celebrated today by just going to church as a family ( which doesn't happen so much when Gabe is on the road), having a nice little lunch, and then coming home and watching Football and being lazy! We got lots of hang out time as a family, and we just enjoyed the peace and quiet.  Pizza for dinner and a new PS3 game to play......perfect day huh?

Babe, you are the freaking BOMB at everything you do!! You are, above all, and AMAZING husband and an INCREDIBLE father. I just can't imagine our lives without you. You bring so much joy and happiness to my life. You make me feel like a queen. Amara and I definitely feel the void when you are on the road working so hard to support us. You go above and beyond to not just give us what we need, but most of the things we want. I am just so proud to be your wife, but I definitely wonder why the heck God let me do daily life with someone like you. It just doesn't make sense to me??? I really didn't think I would get the chance to settle down with someone so amazing, caring, loving, serving, FUNNY, talented, smart and most of all.....God-fearing. Today, we celebrate you, and all that you are.....which is sooo much to our little family!

I love you more!

Moments captured between my two loves today.....

Hugs...

Family photos....

We got a few photos taken recently to kind of capture our family with a 1 year old ( even though Amara is 14 months in these pics).

It is haaaaard to get a good shot when everyone is doing a different face in every pic. Family portraits with a child that moves seem nearly impossible. Amara was pretty much fussy the entire time, Gabe HATES getting photos taken, and I just feel like I am forcing everyone to be there and be happy ;).

We got a few good shots though, which covers the Christmas card and a few pictures for our walls, so I can't complain.

Photos by IGC Photography