Celebrations!

We had a long four day weekend thanks to the 4th of July! We started the weekend off with finger painting for Evie. I gave her some red and blue paints to make festive art. 

Then Josh got a pallet for me from his brother so we could make a flag for our back porch. I've wanted one for a long time, and I think it looks perfect! I love country looking DIY projects! Thanks pinterest for the idea!

After celebrating with our families on Saturday & Sunday, we enjoyed staying home most of the day on Monday. It was a rainy day, so we sipped coffee in our rocking chairs while watching Evie dance in the rain. Ella just watched. And to think this time next year, they will both be playing outside! We ended the weekend by watching the NYC fireworks display on tv while the girls snoozed away. :)

I had to take a picture of the flag cake that my mom made. It's a three milk cream cake. I can't remember the fancy title, but oh my goodness, it's good. Super moist, rich and it's topped with a homemade whipped cream frosting. YUM.

Hope ya'll had a wonderful 4th of July!!! Happy tuesday. :)

Twenty-Sixteen 52 Weeks: June

She Thinks She's Big Stuff

This kid. She cracks me UP! She has a big personality, and continues to show her idependence. She tries to crawl off our laps when she wants down (where does she think she's gonna go? I have no idea). She watches her big sis very intently. She has a deep belly laugh, and her whole face takes part of those laughs!!

She is wearing size 9 month clothes, eats alllllll the time, and doesn't mind being held by friends and family. She's very content, unless she's teething. She really loves her bouncy seat, being swaddled, and snuggling. We love her to pieces!

Happy Homemaker Monday Vol. 19

The weather...
It's sunny and warm! 

Right now I am...
Taking a few minutes to blog, and find inspiration on Pinterest. It helps break up my morning routine to have a few minutes of "fun". ;)

Thinking... 
How blessed we are as a family. God has provided for us a million times over, and with every single answered prayer, I am reminded of His faithfulness. Anwered prayer doesn't always mean I get the answer I want, but that we get the answer He has for us...which is always better. 

On my TV...
The Good Witch
Parenthhood 


What I'm Reading... 
Where Trust Lies by Janette Oke
So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore
Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner
For the Childrens Sake

On the menu for this week...Chicken & Green Bean Crock Pot Dish
Loaded Black Bean Nachos (I make mine with Wasa crackers for a lighter version, while the rest eat it with chips)
Southern Skillet Stir Fry (Usually chiken, okra, squash, peppers, onions with a dash of spicy seasonings)
Breakfast for Dinner 
Chicken, Broccoli & Cheesey Cauliflour Casserole

On my to do list...2 Loads Laundry & fold clothes
Speed Clean
Update Work Stuff 
Prep Dinner

Looking forward to this week...
A quiet week of housework, maybe some time outside in the evening when it's a bit cooler (if that is even possible during summer...hahaha)

Linking Up with Diary of A Stay at Home Mom

Random Thursday Thoughts

Summer has arrived in her full glory--today, we are set for a heat index of 115! I'm staying home with my air conditioner, iced coffee, and organizing projects. I'm not sure why, but heat waves always give me reason to purge, and re-organize our home. Our pantry tends to collect items that shouldn't be there, so most likely, that will be my starting point!

Our house has been on the market for a few months now. Not for lack of showings, but the right buyer hasn't come along or it just isn't time for us to move yet. There is a part of me that is SO ready to move, and another part of me that is SO ready to just keep pluckig away at this little house of ours. Truthfully, we love where we live, but we would love just a wee bit more space.

I've been reading through one of the latest Janette Oke books, "Where Trust Lies". I've read hundreds of Christian books/authors, and nothing compares to the love stories of Janette Oke. I'm also re-watching the Where The Heart Calls series. I love it because it's my favorite Hallmark style show, and super clean for the little ears & eyes around here. I also started watching the Good Witch on Hallmark. Which is vey cheesy, but seems to be pretty clean, too.

Happy Thursday!

And Just Like That She's Two

Our baby girl turned two! I can't believe it. She has changed so much over the last month, I keep pinching myself. I mean, she should still be swaddled up in my arms, right? Instead, she's a hyper toddler with a growing vocabulary, and in full blown potty training mode.

We had a wonderful celebration with our parents, and siblings. Her gif this year, was a little playhouse with a pink roof. I'll share some pictures, soon. Happiest of birthday's to my darling girl. You are so, so loved. 

Ella Bug

Somebody has been a busy little bee this last month:

• She had her first taste of food. I think the photo says it all!
• She has started standing up while holding onto something.
• She loves playing with daddy's beard.
• She kind half rolls over, it's cute. ;)
• She really, really loves to be sitting up so she can see what's going on.
• She tries really hard to talk. She has a lot of facial expression to match her words, so it comes off very serious. Cracks us up!

We are having so much fun with you, Ella bug!!

Twenty-Sixteen 52 Weeks: May

Happy Homemaker Monday Vol. 18

The weather...
It's sunny, and cool this morning. Rain is heading our way soon, so I think we will spend a little time outside this morning. 

Right now I am...
Drinking coffee, listening to a praise & worship dvd that I turned on for the girls.

Thinking... 
I've been dealing with more anxiety this time around. I didn't have that with Evie, so it's a new territory. Little things like going to the grocery store or picking them up from the nursery stresses me out. I can't count the amount of times I've ended up in tears because I am so stressed out. It's exhausting to deal with so many emotions. I don't say this to comlain, but to keep it real. Motherhood is not always roses and sunshine. But, I guss that's what makes it all so perfectly imperfect.

On my TV...
We've been watching Everybody Loves Raymond

What I'm Reading... 
I just finisehd reading "Home Is Where My People Are" by Sophie Hudson. It's the second time I've read it, and I just love it.

On the menu for this week...
Black Bean Nachos
Pasta with Meat Sauce
Chicken & Green Bean Crockpot Dish
Breakfast For Dinner
Sausage & Summer Veggie Stir Fry

On my to do list...
Load & Unload Dishwasher
Make Bed
Speed Clean
Edit Photography
Sweep & Swiffer
Clean Bedrooms

Looking forward to this week...
Relaxing at home with Josh & the kiddos

Happy Monday!

Just A Little Post

We've been a busy little family. Between chasing a toddler, and entertaining a rather independent four month old, our days are very, very full. And we are very, very tired. Imagine that. He he. ;)

Evie has learned to climb. As in Curious George style climbing. Ahem.
Ella has started chatting, giggling, and sitting up in her bumbo.
Daddy is very busy with work.
And I'm just over here like...pass the coffee, please.

How are you all, blogging friends? Hoping to catch up on all your posts today. Happy Wednesday!!

My Sugarbear

This girl. Goodness, has she just stollen this momma's heart!! She is just delightful!!! I thought I'd share some of her milestones...

Last week, she found her hands! It was so cute. She would hold her fist up, and get all wide eyed while looking at it. Cuuuute.

She wants to sit up, and see what's going on. All the time! Forget the snuggly baby stuff. She's ready to be a big girl! She also likes to "stand up". You know where you balance them on their legs while holding them? She thinks it's the greatest thing. If she thinks we are having fun without her, she fusses until we pick her up and let her join in the fun, which is usually just us sitting down to eat dinner. Haha!

Her smile lights up her whole face...and produces the cutest dimple!!

She is the BEST sleeper. Honestly, she averages about 10 hours every night, and one long nap in the middle of the day. She still takes tiny cat naps here and there, but they don't last long.

If you are slow getting her bottle ready, she will let you know. She "sasses" for several minutes. It is hilarious. Such opinionated grunts, hahahaha.

And all that hair? Still thick, dark, curly, and getting longer every day. ;)

Oh, Ella Faith. You are so loved.