Drum-Roll Please

Yes! We are having a baby! 

I don't think it'd be possible to be more excited for this precious gift the Lord has given us! Now the world knows! This was my brilliant way to announce to the world that our little peanut will be here soon. The morning sickness has dulled my creativity, but when it subsides we'll see if I can get together a photo or two of the ever growing bump. Until then, I will be researching more than could ever be necessary about baby things trying to figure out how much of it is propaganda and what this tiny baby will actually need. Any recommendations welcomed... In the form of a recommendation rather than the form of a commandment - if you have ever been pregnant I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I mean ;) love love

Happy Birthday to the BEST DAD!

Everyone argues they have the best dad, but I have to say I'm pretty good at arguing and this guy takes the cake. He is the most incredible example of patience, grace, and generosity. Jake and I are so thankful to have him in our lives! Happy Birthday to the best! Love you! <3

wedding flowers

My momma is absolutely amazing! When the florist for our wedding doubled the price, and told us she couldn't guarantee the type of flowers we had been discussing all just 10 days before the wedding, my mom agreed to do all of our flowers for us. She did amazingly! Seriously I couldn't have loved them more! I'll have to sift back through those wedding photos and post ours sometime. But since then my supermom has gotten some buzz and she's been asked to do a few other weddings. Here are a few from her latest :) They're exactly what the bride asked for, and I think they look just amazing!

 

Stillness

We have been going non-stop lately and decided we needed to take a day for rest and prayer. And that is exactly what yesterday was. I am so quick to become so wrapped up with all that NEEDS to be done that I don't take 5 seconds to stop and just be still. With that, Mr. asked that I please turn my phone off for the day. At first I was a little hesitant, but I really was needing a complete break, and it seemed like it probably would be a good idea. I CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT A GREAT IDEA THIS IS! Seriously - if you haven't done this ever, or recently ... DO IT! It is so nice to not be wondering every five seconds who you should be responding to, what email you should be reading, what you should be catching up on, etc., etc., etc...
I forget that one of those ten commandments so many of us know so well is to take time to rest. As much as we're not to commit adultery, lie, steal, or kill, we're supposed to rest. Pause, rest, and seek the Lord - He commands it. We are still trying to figure out how to implement this, but it was so good to be reminded and see first hand why He does call us to rest. We get moving so fast that we think it's impossible to take this time for rest, but once we are at the point when we will either stop or fall apart - and we are basically forced to take a minute to breathe it is so clear how necessary it is. It's not a sign of weakness, it will not make your world fall apart, it is a sign of obedience. Praying I learn this lesson before I push myself too far again. Thank you God for your grace. xo

The best chocolate covered strawberries EVER

We never do seem to celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th. Last year it was the 13th, because we always celebrate the 13th :), this year we had sporadic 13th, 14th, 15th celebrations. Completed with chocolate covered strawberries. They are one of Jake's favorite desserts, and who can say no to the best fruit and chocolate coming together in such perfection?? A few years ago in my very single days I was helping my mom make Valentine's dinner for our family, and she taught me the secrets for the best chocolate covered strawberries!

1. Wash and THOROUGHLY dry each strawberry. Like, one-by-one hand dry them. This will make it so the chocolate really sticks rather than crumble off.
2. Melt straight chocolate, don't add anything, just semi-sweet chocolate chips.
3. Always use a double boiler. This prevents the chocolate from burning or clumping. Even if you don't have a fancy one, you can create a make-shift double boiler by placing a smaller pot inside a larger pot of boiling water.
4. After smothering the strawberries in TONS of chocolate, let them set on parchment paper, and refrigerate for an hour. This will let the chocolate really harden and leave you with the most delicious dessert!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I have always loved this holiday! A day to celebrate love with pink everywhere! It is fabulous. Since I was super young my mom has made this holiday such a fun celebration, that even when I was the most single 18 (or, 20, or 22 for that matter...) year old in the world, she somehow made it fun. So I've always just loved it. Hope you all find joy in today! Whatever your relational status at the moment you are loved, and there is reason to celebrate :) Baci Baci Baci! xoxo

 

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Praise the Lord!

Some days are hard

For the last week I've been in bed with the plague that so many people are fighting. The coughing, fever, death cold. Slept through the first few days, but once you hit the point where you still can't get out of bed, but actually have brain functioning capabilities, it just gets old. For me today this apparently looks like taking it out on my husband. I hate those days where you're frustrated and it gets directed to the person you love most. Fail. The days not done ... Still time for it to be redeemed ... So here's to the joy that God's mercies are new every morning, and a husband who's more forgiving than I deserve. Thank you God and thank you Jake ... Baci Baci
And to anyone else fighting off this awful cold - praying for you